Regulation of fruit ripening. II. Use of perlite-KMnO4 insert as an ethylene absorbent.
Esguerra E. B., Mendoza D. B. Jr., Pantastico E. B.
Author Affiliation: University of the Philippines, Los Banos College, Laguna, Philippines.
Philippine Journal of Science 107 : 23-31
Abstract : Laboratory and semi-commercial trials were carried out with Carabao mangoes and Bungulan and Giant Cavendish bananas. Perlite-cement blocks impregnated with saturated KMnO4 solution, were wrapped with polyethylene film perforated on top to allow ethylene absorption. When placed in polyethylene bags containing mangoes and cartons of bananas they reduced ethylene concentrations to moderately low levels and retarded ripening. Firmer and greener fruits were obtained at the end of the storage period (12 days for bananas and 20 days for mangoes). KMnO4 treatment did not impair normal ripening of mango fruits after removal from the polyethylene bag. Maximum extension of storage life was attained when combined with storage at 10 deg C for mangoes and at ambient temperature for bananas.